Goodwood

Goodwood enjoys a global reputation as one of the finest country estates in the world. At the heart of the estate sits Goodwood House; a legendary venue with an impeccable reputation for hosting world-class events. The house is part of the only English estate to offer an onsite hotel, fine dining restaurants, championship golf courses, a fleet of aeroplanes, horse racing and celebrated motor sport events. The combination of venues and hospitality choices at Goodwood will both surprise and delight. Perfectly placed within easy reach of London, Goodwood is the right setting for corporate meetings and away days, as well as luxurious weddings and gala dinners of the highest calibre.

The Dukes of Richmond have been hosting grand celebrations on the Goodwood Estate for royalty and celebrities for over 300 years. Today, Goodwood event spaces can host a variety of private and corporate events that are not only memorable but spectacular.

At the very heart of the 12,000-acre estate, Goodwood House is set amongst historic cedar trees surrounded by beautiful parkland. Known to be one of the most desirable wedding venues available in the UK, the State Apartments are filled with acclaimed paintings by Van Dyck, Canaletto, Reynolds and Stubbs. A champagne wedding reception can be held in the silk-lined Yellow Drawing Room, followed by a magnificent reception dinner in The Ballroom for up to 450 guests, with entertainment and dancing in The Supper Room, followed by celebratory fireworks on the lawn. A team of on-site chefs create tailored wedding menus from organic estate reared produce and locally sourced seasonal ingredients, complemented by an extensive wine list. This is a wedding destination like no other.

The magnificent State Apartments at Goodwood House are always hired exclusively and make for a uniquely private experience. The Egyptian Dining Room is the perfect backdrop for high-level meetings, an off-site AGM or a product launch with the 'wow' factor. Suitable as an intimate conference venue, Goodwood House can accommodate up to 245 in theatre style with numerous break out spaces as well as offer AV facilities and complimentary Wifi for delegates. Also able to cater for private dining events or banquet dinners in The Ballroom, Goodwood House is the ultimate venue for corporate hospitality.

Both private and corporate events at Goodwood have the advantage of additional activities; whether purely for celebrations and entertaining or corporate team building and conferences. Horse racing is a well-known attraction at Goodwood and the estate offers a variety of hospitality packages to suit every taste. Goodwood celebrates 100 years of classic golf with two championship courses available to visitors on a private basis or as part of a corporate away day. If there is still space in the itinerary, there is also the Goodwood Aviation and Motor Circuit to include in your corporate event planning. A variety of unique driving and flying experiences are on offer, which can be built into a private or corporate event taking place on the Estate.

The beauty of Goodwood is not only its private setting amongst mature, private parkland but the flexibility it can offer an event. Goodwood's stunning location, magnificent art collection, prestigious sporting events and unique heritage combine to give credence to the incomparable epithet, 'Glorious Goodwood'.

Goodwood House - The venue on the Estate for lavish events including weddings, gala dinners and balls. Also suitable for conferences, meetings, product launches and private dining events.

The Goodwood Hotel - The place to stay on the Estate with 91 luxury bedrooms and suites. Featuring an on-site full-service spa; The Waterbeach Health Club and its own restaurant; The Richmond Arms, which can cater for private dining groups in the Lennox Room for up to 12 guests.

Goodwood Aviation - Ideal for team building activities, pleasure flights or for guests wishing to arrive by plane.

Goodwood Racecourse - 'The Most Beautiful Racecourse in the World.' Home to the Glorious Goodwood racing festival and available to host corporate and private hospitality packages in private boxes for up to 40 guests.

Goodwood Golf - An excellent addition to any itinerary, the estate has two 18 Hole Championship courses; The Park course and The Downs course. Available for corporate golf days or to guests staying on the estate.

Goodwood Motor Sport - Host to the legendary 'Festival of Speed,' corporate groups can book Track Days or Drift Experiences and have access to both Classic and Supercars.

The Kennels - The magnificent Kennels, which once housed the third Duke's pack of hounds, are today a clubhouse for all of Goodwood's sporting members - also available for private dining and events by special request.

Goodwood has been the seat of the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon for more than 300 years. The first Duke of Richmond, a son of King Charles II by his French mistress, Louise de Keroualle, first rented and then bought the house and park in 1697 so he could enjoy the hunting in the nearby village of Charlton. The original Jacobean house was subsequently enlarged by successive Dukes to form the house that you see today.

The first race meeting was held on the Downs in 1801 and became a public fixture the following year. Today, the Racecourse is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world, and the horses still lodge in Sir William Chambers’ grand stable block, built in 1757-9. The first Duke was also a keen cricketer and Goodwood is the first estate on which cricket was regularly played. The earliest recorded rules of the game were written in 1727.

The local Charlton Hunt that had brought the first Duke of Richmond to Goodwood was revived by the third Duke in 1757, and became known as the Duke of Richmond’s Hounds. The ninth Duke of Richmond founded the Motor Circuit in 1948 on what had been an airfield during World War II. The Duke was a well-known racing driver, winning the Brooklands Double 12 Race in 1931.

Chief among the glories of the current estate art collection are two paintings by Canaletto showing views of London and the Thames from Richmond House. These were commissioned by the second Duke of Richmond in 1746-7. His son, the third Duke of Richmond, was an early patron of George Stubbs and commissioned three canvases of sporting activity on the Estate: Racehorses Exercising; The Charlton Hunt; and Shooting. During his time as Ambassador to France, the third Duke also commissioned a unique set of Sèvres porcelain depicting birds from George Edwards’ A Natural History of Birds, a collection that retains pride of place in The Card Room at Goodwood today.